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Can you recycle meat and bones?
It depends on your area
Whether you can recycle meat and bones depends on your local program. Here’s how to tell and what to do.
| Goes in | Green bin only |
|---|---|
| Category | 🍎 Food & Organic |
| Verdict | Depends |
How to prepare meat and bones
Use municipal organics if accepted; don’t home-compost meat.
Quick checklist before you bin it
- Use municipal organics if accepted; don’t home-compost meat.
- Confirm acceptance on your city or hauler’s recycling list — rules vary.
- Can’t recycle it locally? Trash them if they’re not accepted in organics.
Why?
Pests and pathogens make these unsafe for backyard piles.
Better option
Trash them if they’re not accepted in organics.
FAQ: Meat and bones
Can I put meat and bones in the curbside recycling bin?
Whether you can recycle meat and bones depends on your local program. Here’s how to tell and what to do.
How should I dispose of meat and bones?
Green bin only. Use municipal organics if accepted; don’t home-compost meat.
Why isn’t meat and bones recyclable?
Pests and pathogens make these unsafe for backyard piles.
What can I do with meat and bones instead?
Trash them if they’re not accepted in organics.